HemantS

Strengths :

Power delivery is exciting and smooth. Never dissappointing. Doesn't kick you in the pants quite like the 450h does but the power is real and functional. Felt a bit slower than the IS350 but that is to be expected.

Interior ergonomics and layout are beautifully laid out. This car had wood trim and Mark Levinson. Full marks for the guages which are pleasing to the eye. LEDs light your way both under the outside mirror and inside when you get near the car with your keyless entry thingy.

Seats are extremely comfortable, cooled seats are a nice feature and work well. Unlike BMW where the cooling comes out of one channel, cooling comes out of tiny holes throughout the seat.

Handling is soft but the car does what you tell it to. You never feel out of control. I test drove in the rain and the car never once misbehaved. Back end pushes out nicely into the apex of a turn and gets you in the direction you want to be going.

Weakness :

Body roll is pronounced as is nose dive during breaking.

One minor gripe. The centre armrest position makes it a bit difficult to use the sport shift while driving.

Bottom Line :

I would need to change the suspension on this car if I'm going to enjoy owning it. My father in law's ES330 in sport mode feels stiffer than this - shouldn't be that way!

So do I buy it and take the chance that suspension mods will bring me back to a point of driving enjoyment? Worked with my TL Type S (night and day before and after).

Hmmmmm

Irishman06

I got some similar feelings from the RWD GS350. I did like it better in ECT "Power" mode, which changes the throttle curve and transmission shift points to give you more precise power delivery, if that makes any sense. To me, it feels like the throttle return spring got swapped out for something stiffer when you hit this button, and it lets you feel the throttle more.

Also, it did feel slower than the IS, but when you look at the numbers, it doesn't give up much at the limit.

From what I've heard on here, the Tein CS-Ts or SS-Ts will do well to stiffen up the suspension, but someone said the AWD presents issues going to coilovers. I think you can find replacement shocks/struts, though.

HemantS

I'm going to drive the 07 G35X as well.

Not as nice as the GS350 visually or in fit and finish, but will probably be more tossable.

sbrown02

Curious to hear your impressions comparing the two. I just traded my 05 G35x in on an 07 GS350 w/AWD, ML and Nav and wow there's no comparison. My big issues with Infiniti were terrible customer service, brakes that squeaked like a 5k beater and the engine noise in the cabin was just too much for me. Anyway, love to hear your thoughts after you test drive. Thanks